The Alchemy Cauldron

:

---

Chapter 92: The Alchemy Cauldron

After having breakfast, Xiao Yi Xian began clearing the table, while Xiao Yan took out a list from his storage ring and handed it to Boss Yao.

"Boss Yao, could you please help me prepare these Alchemy ingredients? I'll pay for them."

"Eh~ No need for such formalities. You're Xian'er's savior. It's just some ingredients, I can give them to you for free."

Boss Yao said as he took the list, and Xiao Yan looked at him seriously.

"One thing is one thing. I must pay for the cost of the ingredients."

Xiao Yan was determined not to expect anything for free from others, even if they had helped him.

Boss Yao understood Xiao Yan's thoughts and helplessly waved his hand, then looked at the ingredients list Xiao Yan handed over.

"These are all very common Alchemy ingredients, like the Snake Desire Fruit, the Spring Grass, and the Dragon Fire Leaf..."

When Boss Yao first glanced at the list, he didn't think much of it, but the more he read, the more he felt something was off.

These ingredients were all, without exception, very potent yang herbs. Some of them could be used as basic ingredients for treating injuries, but the rest were purely for boosting energy, and most of the time, they were used for men.

In other words, under normal circumstances, no Alchemy recipe would require so many ingredients of the same type, unless...

As a fellow man, Boss Yao suddenly realized something, and his expression became strange as he looked at Xiao Yan.

Could it be that he had misunderstood Xiao Yan? Was Xiao Yan not as upright as he seemed? Otherwise, why would he need these ingredients?

Boss Yao doubted himself but quickly dismissed it, as his previous interactions with Xiao Yan made it hard to believe he would do anything improper. If Xiao Yan was really involved in creating such pill, he wouldn't have acted so honorable earlier.

To confirm, Boss Yao put on a casual smile and asked nonchalantly, "Xiao Yan, do you know what these ingredients are used for?"

"No, I don't." Xiao Yan answered without hesitation, honestly, then scratched his face awkwardly, "Didn't I tell you that I have a teacher who is an alchemist? But honestly, I haven't really started learning alchemy yet. These alchemy ingredients were ordered by my teacher. My teacher probably wants to formally teach me."

"..."

After hearing Xiao Yan's answer, Boss Yao sighed in relief.

So, Xiao Yan didn't know what the ingredients were for.

He thought, "This upright kid wouldn't take advantage of anything, how could he be involved in making such pill?"

But then, Boss Yao raised an eyebrow and asked again, "Is your teacher a man or a woman?"

"A woman."

Xiao Yan answered, and Boss Yao's expression became even more peculiar.

If it were a man, Boss Yao could somewhat understand, but if it were a woman, it was hard to make sense of. Would a normal woman even want to hear about such alchemy ingredients?

Boss Yao thought to himself and then shook his head.

Forget it, forget it. A person as upright as Xiao Yan could have such a teacher; surely the alchemist isn't that bad. Perhaps he was overthinking it, and he shouldn't be worrying so much.

"I understand. Just wait, I'll go prepare the ingredients for you."

Boss Yao dismissed his earlier thoughts and got up with the list to gather the Alchemy ingredients.

A while later, Boss Yao came back carrying a large bag and a fiery-red metal jar. The jar had two metallic snakes twisted around it, a striking feature.

Upon seeing the jar, Xiao Yan didn't react, but Yao Chen spoke up.

"Oh ho~ Boss Yao even has an Alchemy cauldron?"

"Alchemy Cauldron?"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion, and Yao Chen explained.

"Most alchemists rely on an Alchemy cauldron to make pills. From the looks of it, this should be a double-mouth cauldron. The material seems decent based on its appearance."

"I see."

After hearing Yao Chen's explanation, Xiao Yan understood, and then he saw Boss Yao place the large bag on the table.

"Xiao Yan, these are the ingredients you wanted." Boss Yao smiled and handed over the list. "The cost is all written on the list. You can just pay Xian'er later."

To be honest, the ingredients weren't that precious, so Boss Yao wouldn't mind giving them to Xiao Yan for free.

But he knew that Xiao Yan would never accept them for free. Even if Boss Yao secretly lowered the price, once Xiao Yan learned the real price from his teacher, he would definitely come back to pay him the difference.

Boss Yao was sure Xiao Yan would do that.

So, in the end, he could only offer them at cost price, as long as the price difference wasn't too big. His alchemist teacher probably wouldn't find out.

"Thank you, Boss Yao."

Xiao Yan smiled and stored the ingredients in his storage ring. Then, Boss Yao placed the Alchemy cauldron on the table.

"And this." Boss Yao gently patted the cauldron and said in a low voice, "When I was young and reckless, I thought I still had a chance to become an alchemist, so I saved up money to buy this double-snake cauldron. Later, I finally realized that I would never become an alchemist, so it's just been gathering dust in the warehouse. Now, I'm giving it to you."

"Huh?!"

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, and Yao Chen silently cheered.

(Well, this is perfect! We were planning to buy a cauldron before going to the mountain, and this one is far better than those cheap ones!)

However, regardless of Yao Chen's thoughts, Xiao Yan immediately stood up and refused.

"No, no, no! This is too valuable..."

"Of course, I'm not giving it to you for free." Boss Yao immediately interrupted Xiao Yan and smiled. "I spent quite a bit on this cauldron, but after so many years, no one wants to buy it. Since I met you, I thought I could help clear out my warehouse."

"I bought it for 100,000 back then, but after more than ten years, I'll give it to you for just 10,000 gold coins. How does that sound?"

Xiao Yan had saved Xiao Yi Xian's life twice. To him, even if he gave Xiao Yan the whole Wan Yao Pharmacy, he would be happy to do so.

After all, to him, Xiao Yi Xian was everything. She was the only reason he was alive. If something happened to her, then all the wealth in the pharmacy wouldn't matter.

But Boss Yao also knew that Xiao Yan was an incredibly upright person. If he didn't ask for something, Xiao Yan would never accept it.

"Then... thank you, Boss Yao."

Xiao Yan hesitated for a while, but eventually clasped his hands and sincerely bowed in thanks.

Boss Yao looked at Xiao Yan's gesture and couldn't help but smile wryly.

A person so upright to this extent... sometimes it could be quite annoying.

(End of Chapter)

---

For every 100 power stones = 1 chapter

300 power stones = 5 chapter

500 power stones = 8 chapter